BRIDGING HEARTS

{18}

2 Days Later

At night

Aarav was sitting in the living room, lost in thought, when Vihaan walked in.

"What's up? What happened between you two?" Vihaan asked. "You two used to never miss a chance to fight, bicker, and call each other names, but you've both gone without fighting for three days."

"Nothing, brother," Aarav replied hesitantly.

"Something must have happened. Tell me, maybe I can help," Vihaan insisted.

Aarav took a deep breath and began to explain what had happened.

"So, it wasn't you who sent it, but it still came from your number?" Vihaan inquired.

Aarav nodded.

"Then just go and tell her it wasn't you."

"But brother, she isn't ready to listen to me. I don't know how to talk to her," Aarav said, sighing.

"Well, that's something you'll have to figure out. Good night, then," Vihaan said, giving Aarav a reassuring pat on the shoulder before heading to his room.His gaze fell on the room across from his, and he noticed the lights were still on.

JEIA'S POV

It's been three days since what happened ,and everything seems pretty normal-except for the fact that I'm ignoring Aarav, and he never misses a chance to try to talk to me.

Right now, it's 1:32 in the night, and I'm working on assignment that was given two days ago. It's not too lengthy, but it's demanding most of my time.

"Finally," I said aloud as I finished the assignment. I stretched, feeling the tension ease from my shoulders.

A loud growl from my stomach reminded me that I hadn't had a proper dinner. I had rushed to my room to finish the assignment, completely neglecting my hunger.

Adjusting my glasses, I made my way downstairs to the kitchen. The need to eat something was pressing, but the reality was stark-I couldn't cook. Even back in the PG, Saniya had always taken charge of the kitchen duties for both of us.

AUTHOR'S POV

"Let's just make some instant noodles," she said, rummaging through the kitchen cabinet to find them.

She suddenly felt a tall presence behind her. Startled, she turned around, ready to scream, but he quickly covered her mouth with his hand and gently held her other arm. It was Vihaan.He stared into her dark brown eyes, framed by her glasses.

"Shh, people will get disturbed why do you need to scream so much," he whispered, removing his hands.

Jeia took a long breath to steady herself. "Why do you sneak up on people like that, Mr. Singhania?" she retorted softly. "Who stands so quietly behind someone?"

He just glared at her briefly before moving on to retrieve something from the cabinet.

"By the way, why are you still awake?" Jeia asked, watching him carefully.

"I could ask you the same question," Vihaan replied curtly.

Jeia observed him as he made his coffee. "Coffee at this hour?" she queried.

"I have some work to finish, and I'm feeling sleepy," Vihaan explained before heading towards the exit.

"Wait, Mr. Singhania," Jeia called after him, "could you please show me where the instant noodles are kept?"

"Why?" he asked, turning back to look at her.

"Obviously, to eat," she replied matter-of-factly.

"Instant noodles at this hour isn't a good idea. Just make something easy and healthy," Vihaan advised.

"I can't cook," Jeia admitted.

He stared at her in disbelief for a moment before deciding to take action. "Wait here," he said, heading to the refrigerator to find an alternative. "As a guest in our house, we take hospitality seriously," he thought to himself.

He went towards the refrigerator and grabbed 4 eggs, a small onion, and a packet of bread. Jeia watched him as he chopped an onion and put it in the bowl.

"Wow, Mr. Singhania, you can cook," she said as he broke the eggs into the bowl and added a pinch of salt to it.

"Yes, because I am a man and not a child," he said, eyeing Jeia.

"I am not a child, okay?" Jeia retorted glaring.

He didn't say anything and turned on the flames to heat up the pan. As the pan heated up, he added a little olive oil. Opening the packet of bread, he dipped the slices one by one into the bowl of eggs and placed them into the heated pan.

All the while, Jeia watched eagerly, anticipating the meal as she was very hungry. Once the egg toasts were done, he put them on a plate and added ketchup on the side. Forwarding the plate towards her, he said, "Here you go."

"Thank you, Mr. Singhania," she said gratefully as she took the plate from his hand.

She started eating, and Vihaan couldn't help but steal glances at her as she savored each bite. After a while, she turned to Vihaan and asked, "You want some?"

"No thanks," he replied, focusing on cleaning the kitchen platform.

As she continued eating, Vihaan spoke, "Everybody should get a chance to explain themselves. Even if you feel they have wronged you, you should atleast listen to what they have to say."

His words struck a chord with Jeia, causing her to pause mid-bite. She realized the deeper meaning behind his statement and couldn't help but agree. He wasn't wrong.

It gave her a new perspective on her situation with Aarav.

NEXT DAY

Morning came, and Aarav woke up with a clear goal. "Aaj toh ussey jaane hi nahi dunga bina apni baat puri kare," he said to himself as he put on his beige shirt.
(Today, I won't let her go without saying what I need to say)

He quickly gathered his things and ran to Jeia's room. He saw her leaving and hurried to catch up. She turned around and was startled to see him standing there.

She tried to walk past him, but Aarav blocked her way. She moved to the other side, but he stopped her again. Then she remembered Vihaan's advice from last night.

She sighed, crossed her arms, and looked up.

"Nahi (no) Jeia, not today. I won't let you go today without finishing what I have to say,"
Aarav insisted.

Jeia looked at her wristwatch and then back at Aarav. "Singhania, sirf 2 minute hain. Say whatever you want to say, okay?"
(Singhania, you have only 2 minutes.)

To be continued

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